A motorcycle racer was charged Thursday in connection to the July crash that killed a 16-year-old girl and another racer on MacArthur Road about two miles north of the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, authorities said.

Racers and reckless drivers of motorcycles, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles are putting everyone at risk, District Attorney James Martin said at a press conference at the Lehigh County Courthouse.

Now that reckless driving has led to two deaths, he said.

“We have to put an end to this,” Martin said.

Christian Joel Gonzalez Santiago, 27, of Allentown, was charged Thursday with homicide by vehicle and related charges in connection with the double fatal crash around 6:45 p.m. July 31 on MacArthur Road (Route 145) at Mechanicsville Road.

Killed in the crash was 16-year-old Mia G. Due of Whitehall, Martin said. She was a passenger in a Jeep that collided with a motorcycle driven by 42-year-old Jose Estrada-Estrada of Reading, police said. Estrada-Estrada also died in the crash, Martin said.

Surveillance video showed Estrada-Estrada driving at 80 mph on the road with a posted speed limit of 40 mph, Martin said. Police believe he was racing Gonzalez Santiago.

Martin said his office won’t tolerate dangerous motorcycle racing.

“Street racing and other incidents involving motorcycles, ATVs and dirt bikes driven carelessly and recklessly has been an ongoing issue both in the City of Allentown and throughout Lehigh County,” he said, later adding, “If you are a renegade motorcyclist, dirt bike driver or ATV driver and you’re violating the law, we will arrest you and prosecute you to the fullest extent.”

Martin said there were several motorcycles in the area where the crash took place. The next night they returned for “a rally of some sort or a memorial which was attended by dozens of motorcyclists.”

“We unfortunately could not corral anybody at that time. It’s an ongoing problem,” Martin said.

Martin said his office is investigating another incident connected to that group of reckless drivers. He declined to provide details of that investigation.

Martin said Gonzalez Santiago kept driving south after the crash, then later returned to help push the Jeep upright onto its wheels.

Gonzalez Santiago is charged with accidents involving death, accidents involving death while not properly licensed, two counts of homicide by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, speeding, careless driving and failure to wear protective headgear.

Martin said Gonzalez Santiago is in custody and would be arraigned in Lehigh County. An address or phone number couldn’t be found to reach out to Gonzalez Santiago or his family for comment. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.

Martin said the Due and Estrada-Estrada families were notified of the charges filed against Gonzalez Santiago.

Rudy Miller may be reached at [email protected].

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